Quercus fusiformis
Small

Quercus fusiformis Live Oak, courtesy of Melody Lytle

Quercus fusiformis, commonly known as Escarpment Live Oak, Plateau Live Oak, Scrub Live Oak, West Texas Live Oak and Live Oak, belongs to the white oak group and is a medium sized tree, growing to heights of twenty to fifty feet with a spread of twenty-five to forty feet.

Quercus fusiformis foliage and immature fruit, courtesy of Melody Lytle

"It grows on well-drained soils from alkaline to slightly acid, although it is rare in the heavy clay of the true Blackland Prairies. It is thicket-forming, spreading from root sprouts to form "mottes." Escarpment Live Oak is more drought- and cold-tolerant than Coastal Live Oak (Q. virginiana), and can grow in more alkaline soil. In large portions of Central Texas, the live oak populations are hybrids between Q. fusiformis and Q. virginiana. Both species are susceptible to the oak wilt fungus."

Trees like full sun and produce green catkins in the spring. This species often retains its leaves, requires litle moisture and tolerates high temperatures.

Quercus fusiformis Live Oak bloom, courtesy of Melody Lytle

It will grow in most soils and is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zone: 7.

The tree get its scientific name from the mature acorn/fruit, which has a very fusiform apex (fusiform means distinctly narrowed).

Acorns turn brown as they mature.

Quercus fusiformis Live Oak fruit, courtesy of Aggie Horticulture

The following Saturniidae species utilize Quercus fusiformis as a larval host.

Hemileuca grotei
Hemileuca maia
Hemieleuca peigleri
Hemileuca slosseri

The following North American butterfly species utilize Quercus fusiformis as a larval host.

Hesperiidae:
Erynnis horatius
Erynnis propertius

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This page is presented by Bill Oehlke. This site is presented as an extension of the
World's Largest Saturniidae Site, a private worldwide silkmoth site,
Caterpillars Too!, a private North American butterfly site featuring images of caterpillars,
and
Sphingidae of the Americas, a free public access site with pictures and information about the Sphingidae (Hawkmoths) of the Americas.

Tree information is from Aggie Horticulture

Larval hostplant lists have been compiled from the Natural History Museum's
HOSTS - a database of the world's Lepidopteran hostplants